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Tribal government leaders against the Dakota Access Pipelineappeared before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights today (December 9), where they asked the commission to protect their human rights, which they allege have been abused at the hands of law enforcement.

Those speaking included Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Councilman Chad Harrison, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier, Yankton Sioux Tribe Chairman Robert Wayne Flying Hawk and Yankton tribal member Faith Spotted Eagle. U.S. government officials also testified at the hearing, including representatives from the Department of Justice and Army Corps of Engineers.

During the hearing, tribal members spoke of an overwhelming failure for the U.S. government to consult them when moving extractive projects like the pipeline forward. Frazier was most explicit about this, describing the minimal communication the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe received from U.S. agencies, even though its people rely on the Missouri River.